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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Topic: Favorite recalled posters
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Michael Coate
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1904
From: Los Angeles, California
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-21-2006 09:47 PM
Here's a transcription of an article about the "Revenge" posters that some of you may find interesting or amusing or nostalgic. It appeared in the Los Angeles Times on February 6, 1983, Calendar, page 7.
quote:
PSST! GOT ANY 'JEDI' POSTERS?
By Michael London
The hottest item in the Hollywood memorabilia biz: posters for "Revenge of the Jedi."
Why? Because the title of the third installment in the "Star Wars" saga, scheduled for release in May, is now "Return of the Jedi."
The change was made quietely in recent weeks by producer George Lucas' Lucasfilm company. That instantly turned the "Revenge" posters, which theaters began tacking up at Christmastime to promote the film, into collector's items worth up to $200, with the outer galaxies being the limits.
"It's one of the most sought-after posters I can remember," said Eric Caidin, owner of the Hollywood Book and Poster Co. off Hollywood Boulevard. Caidin sold the original "Revenge" posters for $25. After the name change, they escalated to between $75 and $100.
But don't head down to Caidin's shop with your C-notes quite yet. He's sold out, as are most local dealers. "Everybody's anxious to locate more of them," he said. "Assuming they can be found. Nobody in town seems to have any."
Caidin said he received a call from a New York dealer offering to sell 10 "Revenge" posters for $100 each. "That was his wholesale price," Caidin said. "I've never heard of anything like that." He turned down the offer.
In St. Louis, Roger Sapp at Bijou Collectibles has two of the rarities left and is holding out for $200 each. "I'm trying to buy more myself at a decent price," he said.
The hysteria is such that rumors of a plot to destroy the remaining "Revenge" posters are sweeping panicky collectors.
According to rumors that surfaced at Sapp's store and others in the Midwest, Lucasfilm officials descended on a branch office of the National Screen service — distributor of the posters — to supervise destruction of the remaining stock. They videotaped the shredding and carried the tape home to Lucas to show him — or so the story goes.
Both Lucasfilm and National Screen Service scoff at the tale. The remaining posters are still being warehoused, they say.
Given the cutthroat competition, how's the average "Star Wars" fan to get in on the action? Ah, but the average fan may have the last laugh.
In the soon-to-be-distributed February issue of [Bantha Tracks] the [Official] "Star Wars" [Fan Club] newsletter, fan club members will be offered the poster as a collector's item for the bargain price of $9.50.
But that's only for members, stressed Lucasfilm's Maureen Garrett, president of the fan club. "We're a service organization for people who are faithful supporters of the 'Star Wars' saga," she said. In other words, no dealers need apply.
The fan club ordered 6,800 posters from the initial printing of about 8,800, according to Kelly Miller, national advertising manager at 20th Century-Fox, which is distributing the film. The other 2,000 were earmarked for distribution to theaters. But a number of "Revenges" obviously slipped into the collector's netherworld.
"Steps are being taken to stop those leaks," Miller said sternly. And once the final "Return" posters become available around Easter, any undistributed "Revenge" posters will be destroyed — without exception. "We pay a hefty fee to make sure it's done right," Miller said.
Lucasfilm, meanwhile, is a bit chagrined by the high-priced poster mania, particularly because it calls attention to the mysterious name change.
The change is so mysterious, in fact, that some Lucasfilm officials still seem to be grappling with its finer points. According to marketing assistant Susan Trembly, the title was always "Return of the Jedi." "Revenge of the Jedi" was a ruse adopted temporarily as a "working title."
How's that again?
"Working titles assist production companies in going about their business in various areas while not giving away the actual plot of the story during that time," she explained.
It remains unclear how revenge concealed the plot while return would have revealed it. It also isn't clear why Lucasfilm distributed posters and even a theatrical trailer — still showing in local movie houses — with the incorrect "working" title.
Whatever the facts, the episode won't be a fond memory for those collectors who shelled out $50 or $100 or more for posters that wound up selling for $9.50.
"Yeah, I guess not," said poster shop owner Caidin when informed of the fan club offering. "That'll come as a shock to a lot of people." Then he added, "It's a good thing I belong to the club."
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